Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-03-09
DR., REEDS HOUSEKE EPER
BY FLORENCE REVERE PENDAR.

doctor Nathaniel Reed! Yes, this
must be the house, murmured very
prim.looking little body, as she peered
through her glasses at the door plate,
and from it to q newspaper clipping
which she held in her hand. AS she
awaited the answer to her modest
knock, her thoughts ran very much In
this wise:
''What pity! Such q nice garden
as it could be made" her eyes taking
in the tangled macs of weeds that
hourished on either side c. the broad
tagged path leading down to the high
stone wall and iron gate that shut
out the dusty road beyond. Then, as
her glance wandered to an awry blind
and the furnished door-plate, she ex-
claimed, half-aloud:
poor mani Itlooks as if he needed
omebody to put things to rights.
Z he advertisement says nice, quiet,
elderly person"
aere dimple stole into view and
played hide-and-seek about this little
body's sweet mouth, for there was no
gainsay ing the fact that her lips pos
seseed dainty curve, revealing, as she
smiled, glimpse of unusually pretty
teeth for q lady of her apparent age.
In moment. however, the dimple
vanished, and her mouth assumed it's
before demure expression as she sighed:
ooh! | do so hope | will suit. |
have tried so hard, and-and knowI
could make things look so different, if
he isn't frumpy and will let me-"
Ibid you knock, ma'm?"
"This from slip-shod girl, who
stood good-naturedly cycling the
"knock" from her post on the door
mat. With start, as If caught doing
something she ought not to be doing,
this rather MISUNDERSTANDING little
lady answered:
Yes; isis DR.. Nathaniel Reed in ?"
"Yes, mann; the master, he's in. If
you're g. patience, master says as
you're to go in the library"
"Oh no, /. Tell your master I
called about the advertisement"
No sooner had the servant, with a
nod of her untidy head, departed,
alter bidding the lady "take a chair"
In O. half-6 arkened room off the hall,
than that small body, with quick
look around, darted across the room
to mirror. After q careful survey
OF herself, with nod of satisfaction,
she resumed her seat to await the
doctors coming. Not e. minute too
soon, for just then q voice outside the
door remarked:
''In the sitting-room, did you say.
Jane?"
Then the handle turned, and q gen.
-leman of apparently about so en-
tered the room. An exclamation es-
capped the lady as she half arose from
her seat, and in a confused, hurried
sort OF a way murmured:
81 think-you will excuse me. There
is mistake. 1 wished called to
see DR.. Reed"
mo mistake at all, ma am, / as
sure you. ] am DIR. Nathaniel Reed.
| understood the girl to say that you
called about the advert isement I in
serted in the paper. She israther stu
pid, so perhaps the mistake is on her
side"
Seating himself the doctor awaited
q reply, thinking "poor little woman,
a trife nervous about stating her
capabilities. All at once the trim
little figure opposite him seemed to
become more erect as in clear, sedate
tones its owner answered.:
"No, your servant was quite right.
It is concerning the advertisement
that | have called"
"Well, / am glad Jane was right
this time, for she has decided talent
for making blunders Still, the girl
is good-hearted and honest, and |
would like TO give her fair chance
as can. Her mother, poor woman,
is widow, with four other children
to provide for. do not know exact
~ where the fault is, but of course ]
can see that things do not work as
they should do, and so it occurred to
me that If could meet with g. nice,
motherly little body twas the 'little'
an artful compliment on the doctor s
part p who would undertake to set
everything straight, why it would be
great relief to me-
II would try to do my best, l am
sure, SIR" was the rather faint re-
Spouse.
"Not doubt of it" was the hearty
reioinder; then striding across the
room the doctor rather theoretically
drew up blind, remarking: 'I hope
youdo not believe in the saving of car
pets, Mrs. -"
"Sphinx," after g. brief pause, sup
piled the lady, slightly edging away
from the dazzling sunshine as it
streamed in upon them.
"Do you know | have become pos
sessed with the idea that all good
housekeepers abhor the sun on &C
count of It's fading propensities? But
| am afraid / should be rather OBJ.
stinate in my requirements of light
and air. Sunshine is a glorious bene-
factor. It has cured many an i'll, and